Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards 2012

The Wild Asia 2012 Responsible Tourism Awards application process is now closed. The judging advisory panel, made up of influential experts in the field from across the globe, has been busy collating all of the applications. This year, applications flooded in from all across Asia with excellent examples from Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Wild Asia is pleased to announce the 2012 Finalists. The following businesses have successfully passed the first stage of judging.

Best in Community Engagement and Development:
Agri Tourism, India
Soria Moria Boutique Hotel, Cambodia

Best in Cultural Preservation
Agri Tourism, India
Heritance Tea Factory, Sri Lanka

Best in Protection of Natural Areas and/or Wildlife Conservation
Banjaar Tola, India
Scuba Junkie, Malaysia

Best in Resource Efficiency
ITC Sonar, India
Our Native Village, India

2012 Most Inspiring Responsible Tourism Operator
El Nido Resorts, Philippines
Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka
Loola Adventure, Indonesia
Nikoi Island, Indonesia

Over the next few months, Finalists will undergo further assessment whilst the judges delve deeper into the businesses' practices to ensure they're worthy of this international accolade. The Wild Asia Awards are based on the United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. The criteria "serves as the minimum standard that any tourism business should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world's natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for poverty alleviation."

Being recognised as a Winner of the Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards validates the applicant's efforts in responsible business and gives them the platform to showcase its achievements of environment best practice and support for local communities, revealing to the world that that business cares. Wild Asia advocates that tourism can be a force for good and reward businesses that are making a difference.

The 2012 Winners will receive recognition at the ceremony staged as part of ITB Asia in Singapore, this October 19th. ITB Asia is the leading travel and tourism trade show for Asia and also hosts the exciting Responsible Tourism Forum and Clinics. This partnership led event is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to learn more about various aspects on responsible tourism implementation from industry experts. A programme of talks and clinics can be found online. http://tourism.wildasia.org/category/events/

If you are a business and unfortunately missed this year's deadline for the Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards, there is an alternative opportunity to get some much deserved exposure. Alongside the annual awards, Wild Asia also invites dynamic businesses from across the region that are making a difference to present their influential Inspiring Story. Wild Asia is currently accepting applications for Inspiring Stories from Destinations to be presented at ITB Asia. Full details on what format is accepted can be found online, make sure you submit your story by 24th September to [email protected]

Sourced: travelmole